Fall Home Projects That Will Boost Your Curb Appeal Next Spring

How to boost your curb appeal for next spring. 

Looking to have the best lawn on the block? If you haven’t started preparing your lawn for next year, you’re already behind! Lawn preparation and outdoor home maintenance start in the fall to ensure your yard makes it through the winter. 

Here are the outdoor projects to tackle ahead of winter to set yourself up for a successful yard next year:

1. Overseeding and aerating your lawn: In order to prepare your lawn for next year, aerating and overseeding are crucial to allow nutrients to penetrate the soil and improve grass coverage and thickness. 

2. Pruning your shrubs, trees, and perennials: Regular trimming of trees and shrubs can help improve their health and appearance. Perennials need to be cut down each fall once they’ve dried to allow healthy new growth to come up in the spring. It's also important to assess any potential risks of a tree’s location, particularly if it’s in close proximity to rooftops or power lines. 

3. Fertilizing and weeding your lawn: Weeds can be a nightmare, with homeowners citing dealing with weeds as their biggest yard stressor. Weeds need to be dealt with on an ongoing basis, usually every 2-6 months. Typically, you can use a ‘weed and feed’ fertilizer which will improve your lawn while also helping get rid of weeds in the process. 

4. Shutting off and winterizing your sprinkler system: It’s important to winterize your irrigation system before the weather drops below freezing. Improperly shutting off your system can cause pipes to burst, leading to unexpected and costly repairs. If your sprinkler system is on a timer, don’t forget to switch it off or to standby mode. 

5. Leaf pick up and gutter cleaning: In order to avoid damaging your lawn by trapping in too much moisture, it’s important to ensure all leaves are raked up and disposed of. Leaves can also clog up gutters, which should be cleaned on average twice a year to protect your drainage system and the structural integrity of your roof.

Homeowners should budget around $3,500 for necessary lawn and outdoor maintenance projects this fall. Some projects like leaf cleanup and fertilizing can be DIYed, but others like gutter cleaning and tree trimming should be left to the pros to avoid costly, and dangerous mistakes. Bundling home projects like aerating, fertilizing, weeding, and overseeding with a lawn care professional can also help you save money as you plan ahead. 

While prepping your lawn is essential, fall is also a perfect time to focus on outdoor weatherization projects. To protect your home from rain, cold, and snow, we recommend sealing your deck, caulking gaps, and insulating doors and windows. These steps help keep warm air in and moisture out, ensuring your home’s exterior is ready for winter.

U.S. cities with the best curb appeal.

We ranked the U.S. cities with the best curb appeal based on which cities completed the most curb appeal projects throughout 2024. According to our findings, southern cities dominated the list, with Texas securing two of the top five spots and North Carolina and Florida also rising to the challenge with two cities each in the top 10. 

The top cities with the best curb appeal are:

For inspiration and tips, check out the Thumbtack app to get free, personalized guidance and recommendations on boosting your home’s curb appeal. From booking a pro to DIY options, we’re here to help you get ready for (next) summer and transform your outdoor space into a summer paradise!

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Methodology: 

*City ranking data is from consumer requests on Thumbtack from August 2023 to August 2024 for Asphalt repairs and maintenance, Deck or porch repairs, Exterior painting, Full service lawn care, Gutter cleaning, Lawn mowing, Landscaping and design, Pest control services, Pressure washing, Roof repairs and maintenance, Shrub trimming, Sprinkler system installation, Sprinkler system repairs and maintenance, Tree trimming, Weeding, Window cleaning, Window installation. Rankings were based on the relative frequency of such requests adjusted for the population of each metropolitan area.

**Pricing data is based on projects requested on Thumbtack between September 2023 and August 2024 reported directly by the independent service professional or individual customer. Outliers were removed if the reported price was 3x the standard deviation from the mean within each individual category. Costs represented are for labor, not inclusive of materials. Real costs may vary based on location, pro, supply, and materials selected. These figures are averages based on estimates for projects across the country.